PARTIDO DEMOCRATICO TIMOR-LESTE

The Democratic Party(PD)cureently is the biggest oposition party in Timor-Leste. PD was formed in 2001 two months before the first Constituent Assembly election which became the first National Parliament of Timor-Leste in May 20, 2002.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

STATEMENT TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT BY ANICETO LONGUINHOS GUTERRES LOPES, LEADER OF FRETILIN BENCH IN PARLIAMENT ON 13 AUGUST 2007

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies,

People of Timor-Leste:

The FRETILIN parliamentary bench attends today's plenary session to make its voice become heard against the campaign of defamation currently being waged against it.

FRETILIN is watching with concern the unrolling of yet another orchestrated campaign to disseminate rumors and innuendoes similar to those we saw during the crisis that emerged in April 2006 and which resulted in the International Commission of Inquiry.

At the time, it was being said that the F-FDTL had committed a massacre at Taci-Tolu, which was bigger than the Santa Cruz Massacre. Some even spoke of in excess of 100 dead, others of having "counted" at least 66 dead.

The petitioners were feeling terrorized because they were made to believe that the F-FDTL had received orders to eliminate them, one by one.

The command of the F-FDTL, in particular General Ruak, Colonel Lere Anan Timur and Lieutenant Colonel Falur Rate Laek were represented as "mass murderers" or in other words authors of genocide.

The FRETILIN bench watches with concern the unrolling of Machiavellian maneuverings with tendencies to provoke violence to justify violence and open up the path towards the installation of a dictatorial regime where dissenting voices are silenced, where the mindset of "Whoever is not with me is against me" reigns, a mindset which at all costs seeks out enemies to defeat, seeks out those who are unwilling to become subservient, those who do not share the same vision of power.

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies,

People of Timor-Leste:

In the first statement of the FRETILIN Parliamentary Bench we affirmed:

" We are going to descend to the grassroots to explain to the electorate our position, because it is our obligation to do so. We are going to inform them why we did not form government and are in opposition.

When we gather with the electorate we will explain that right now what is demanded of us all is serenity and calmness, it is demanded of us that we use only the available legal means, demonstrating a stately posture and respect for democracy and the law, as has always characterized FRETILIN."

In concluding our said statement, the FRETILIN Bench affirmed and we cite:

"We seek your support, to instruct your parties' members to abstain from engaging in provocation and to demonstrate considerateness for human dignity, in spite of divergent political positions.

We appeal to all our people that they remain calm so as that we are able to guarantee stability and so that we can develop our country that we all love and for which many have given their lives and undergone sacrifices."

And it is this that the FRETILIN's deputies are doing right now. They have descended to the grassroots and have started to explain the reasons why despite having won the elections, we did not form government. We have gone to explain why the party that won the elections but is a minority in parliament has not formed government, and why those who lost the elections, but who together have a majority in parliament will govern the country.

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies:

We wish for all to understand that although for some this is easy to understand, because in fact it is in their direct benefit, for tens of thousands of Timorese citizens, this is complicated for them to understand and accept. Because of this we have taken on the responsibility of explaining the complexity of the situation to our constituents and the community at large.

But, YET AGAIN we have been misrepresented!

When we were in the district of Bobonaro engaging in this explanatory process, members of the self-titled AMP defamed FRETILIN accusing us of committing crimes such as stoning cars, arson of public buildings, in Dili, Baucau, Lospalos, Viqueque and Oecussi.

Members of the so-called AMP accused FRETILIN of descending to the grassroots to create anarchy and foment violence, to divide the people.

They urged the PNTL, UNPOL and FSI to act firmly against those who committed crimes, insinuating that FRETILIN was behind these incidents, as can be seen from the written statement they distributed and propagandized at the Maliana marketplace on Saturday which we annex hereto, and to which we request Illustrious Deputies turn their attention.

The said statement is on all objective grounds defamatory and our bench wishes it to be known, that in fact today we have presented a criminal complaint against the authors of the statement, there being sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed pursuant to section 311 of the applicable Criminal Code.

The complaint has been lodged against the signatories of the statement:

Jacinto Viegas Vicente, also known as Roke, president of CNRT in Bobonaro;

Salomao da Cruz, president of ASDT in Bobonaro;

Amilcar de Sousa Tavares, president of PSD in Bobonaro;

Adriano Joao, president of PD in Bobonaro and spokesperson for the "AMP" in Bobonaro.

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies,

People of Timor-Leste!

The FRETILIN bench is alert to the rumors and innuendoes that are presently, as previously, being disseminated by people of bad character. They say that FRETILIN has already killed a member of the GNR over there, of having burnt ten UNPOL vehicles. They are disseminating the rumor that FRETILIN is bringing in weapons through the border and preparing itself for an armed insurrection to take over power, that FRETILIN raped children of less than eight years of age.

And, as with the "Taci-Tolu Massacre", which never occurred, some of these rumors are already circulating overseas, as if they were fact.

People of Timor-Leste!

NOTHING IS MORE FALSE!

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies:

FRETILIN through its Parliamentary Bench, in this Magnificent House, appeals to the good offices of the President of the Republic, singular body of sovereignty, with full democratic legitimacy, to guarantee that independent, serious and professional investigations are undertaken into all criminal acts and conduct that took place in Dili, particularly the arson on the Customs Office Building and other serious incidents such as the alleged rapes at a "convent?" in Baucau, as well as the arson to more than 250 houses in the Uatolari area, district of Viqueque and other areas such as Oecussi.

The FRETILIN Bench demands that the truth be restored and the criminals are made responsible, without exception.

FRETILIN is fearful that the methods utilized by the KOPASSUS in our sad past, are being utilized now, in that its agents committed crimes that later they blamed on their enemy in order to justify the repressive and brutal manner in which they acted.

Our people deserve to live in peacefulness and we should avoid entering into pacts with hooligans and criminals.

Mr. President of the National Parliament, Excellency,

Illustrious Deputies:

Lets we all guarantee that democracy is not placed in jeopardy in our country, by anyone!

As friends of Timor Leste who were present during the peaceful elections in June and met the leaders of the main political parties, we are deeply concerned at the violence that has greeted the forming of the new government. Democracy is about channelling the differences that exist within every society through the appropriate institutions created to preserve the peace, the freedom of expression and the rule of law. If there are disagreements about the constitutionality of the process they must be resolved peacefully through the legally established courts. Violence on the streets and the senseless destruction of public property will never solve them. We call upon the leadership of all political parties to continue to urge restraint on their followers and to take the necessary measures to ensure that their instructions in this regard are followed throughout the country. The people of East Timor have seen too much destruction in their lives and it is unworthy of the free and fair election which they so successfully held that they should be suffering again.

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide youwith information about the security situation around the country.

Thursday 16 August 2007

The security situation in Timor-Leste is still tense.

United Nations police officers (UNPol) in conjunction with thenational police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the InternationalStabilisation Force (ISF) remain fully deployed to respond to anydisturbances that may occur.

Early this morning in Dili, a security guard was shot in the legwhilst on duty in Delta-2. The facts are still being established, butit is believed that the house he was guarding was being attacked byunknown assailants at around 0150hrs and that, to scare off theassailants, the resident of the house fired a warning shot whichricocheted off the ground and struck the security guard. UNPol havetaken the victim to Dili hospital. Police are investigating.

Last night in Lautem, three masked man set fire to a primary schoolin Bauro village and attacked two security guards. Policeextinguished the fire before it caused serious damage. The twosecurity guards sustained minor machete wounds and were taken to LosPalos hospital for treatment.

Last night in Covalima, police received reports that Beco market wason fire. They attended the scene and found that the fire had onlycaused minor damage to the market. Police have detained five peoplefor questioning.

No security incidents were reported in Baucau or Viqueque districtsyesterday. All government offices and schools remain closed in Viqueque.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the mostaffected areas. Please report any suspicious activities. You cancall 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Friday, June 08, 2007

http://www.ip.alp.org.au/download/timor_leste_political_parties_and_groupings_2nd_edition.pdf Political Parties and Groupings of Timor Leste 2nd Edition - Bahasahttp://www.ip.alp.org.au/download/timor_leste_political_parties_and_groupings_2nd_edition_bahasa.pdf Second Edition of Political Parties and Groupings of Timor Leste now available for download.

Date: 06 June 2007

ALP International Projects continued its support for consolidating the democratic gains in Timor Leste made since the first elections for the legislature in 2001. With elections scheduled for 2007, ALP International Projects will provide a multi-party program to Timor’s main political parties in campaigning, party organisation and policy development.

In February Gavin Ryan, an activist in Australia-Timor Leste relations and a member of the ALP International Projects team which visited Dili in November 2006, visited Dili for consultations with Timor’s major parties on their platforms, people and prospects for the June 2007 polls. Based on the responses from the political parties, Ryan has updated the Political Parties and Groupings of Timor Leste first undertaken by Pat Walsh for the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA - now the Australian Council for International Development [ACFID]) in 2002. The second edition is also available in Bahasa.

The guide has been designed as a living document to be updated regularly. We invite readers - particularly Timor Leste’s political parties - to respond via our website with updates and new information as it comes to hand.

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Introduction

Timor-Leste became the world’s newest nation in 2001. The nationneeded a constitution, so national elections for a ConstituentAssembly whose sole purpose was to develop one were held on 30August of that year.

Over the months that followed, decision-making and power weretransferred from the United Nations Transitional Administration(UNTAET) to the democratically elected East Timorese legislative andexecutive bodies. The final steps came with the Constituent Assemblyapproving the new Timorese constitution in 2002. Timor-Leste’snational legislature came into being when the Constituent Assemblypassed an enabling resolution making it the first National Parliament.The current National Parliament consists of 88 members who wereelected on 30 August 2001 to the Constituent Assembly. With thetransformation into the first National Parliament in 2002, theParliament has a term of up to five years which means that electionsare due in 2007.

The Presidential elections held in April and May 2007 resulted in thevictory of former Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta. The President isdirectly elected, and although the previous election was largelyseparate from party politics, political parties are taking an increasinginterest in this important role, as demonstrated by the current election.Twelve political parties gained representation in the ConstituentAssembly and hence were represented in the inaugural NationalParliament of Timor-Leste. The parties are represented as follows:

New electoral laws have recently been passed for both the Presidentialand Parliamentary elections. Concentrating on the Parliamentaryelection laws, Parliamentary representation will change from the 88seats currently to a minimum of 52 and a maximum of 65. There are anumber of other significant changes including a requirement forparties to run 90 candidates, and that parties must achieve 3% of thevote to achieve any representation. These changes will make it muchharder for smaller parties to be elected, and may lead to many of thesmaller parties merging (as some are already doing) or workingtogether in coalition.

In the first few years of nationhood, Timor-Leste’s system ofGovernment and governance has faced many varied challenges.The regrettable re-emergence of political violence in Timor-Lestehas been a stark reminder of the continuing gap between thehopes and expectations of the citizens of the young nation and therealities they face of large-scale poverty, youth unemployment andcommunity insecurity.

Challenges have also arisen in the political arena as the politicalculture grows and matures in Timor-Leste. These include:

* The existence and use of martial arts groups and politicalviolence The continued prevalence of martial arts groups andviolence in the political arena are a constant source of disquietlocally and internationally. (For previous recommendations maderegarding the political culture in Timor-Leste see Appendix 2).

* Resources There is little in the way of resources available forpolitical parties, except for those in Government. Parliamentaryrepresentatives receive no resources apart from their parliamentarysalaries, with which to carry out their responsibilities. Theadvantages of incumbency can be seen as excessive.

* Access to information Finding out about what is going on inTimorese politics can depend a lot on who you know and whatlanguages you speak. Parliamentary documents are produced inPortuguese (as are all Government documents) causing problemsas only roughly half the current Parliamentarians can readPortuguese well and a large percentage of the population have littleor no Portuguese language skills. There is little public consultation.Freely available public information in Tetum about politicalparticipation and the political system is rare.

Despite these challenges there have been many positives sinceindependence with political freedom flourishing. Political parties andindividuals can organise and campaign freely, with opposition partiesworking together and the Government willing to incorporate someminor party policy. The elections in 2007 should allow theconsolidation of these gains.

For some parties, politics in Timor-Leste is a case of continuing theirhistorical mission with much the same cast, while for others recentevents have given them a much more contemporary focus. Whetherold or new, however, one factor is striking – Timor-Leste is starting tosee greater political diversity. New faces are entering the politicalarena, with alternative policies being strongly held and promoted.Contrast this with the first years of Timor-Leste’s independence whenalmost all of the parties, with the exception of one or two, had largelysimilar platforms and commitments.

This publication is by no means the complete guide to Timor-Leste’spolitical parties. Even now, after a full term of the first Parliament, newparties are still emerging and established parties are refining theirpolicies and platforms, as well as looking to see what structures andactivities might best facilitate their aims. It will always be hard to gainan accurate and detailed picture of all the political groupings in Timor-Leste given the fluid nature of politics and the relative youth of thenation’s institutions.

It is hoped these notes will assist in answering questions in relation tothe political parties of Timor-Leste. Given the scarcity of politicalinformation available in Timor-Leste it is hoped that this publicationwill serve as a handy contact list for Timorese who are interested insocial change and the political process. To this end, we will look tohave this translated into Tetum. It should go some way to explaininghow parties have changed over time, the people behind them, andwhat ideas and policies parties have for the development of Timor-Leste. More information should become available over time, as partiesreach out to more people, civic education grows and the reporting ofpolitical events becomes more widespread. This should in turn mean amore responsive and accountable political system.

The document focuses on the present and the future, rather than thepast. Where possible, however, historical background has beenincluded. This is an essential part of any transparent curriculum vitaeand is not intended in any way to compromise any party or politician.Timor-Leste is in the process of establishing a strong democracyand identity. Its political leaders and parties should be permitted thesame freedom.

As far as possible, the information in the pages which follow has beenbased on interviews with party leaders or officials and on official partydocuments where these exist or could be obtained. I have alsobenefited from the assistance of the following: Pat Walsh, GeorgeThompson, Maria Noronha, Manuel Napoleon, Andrew Chin, SenatorGavin Marshall, Michael Morgan, Karen Moyers and Gillian Davenport.

I have drawn on the following works for information: ‘A Survey ofGangs and Youth Groups in Dili, Timor-Leste’ (commissioned byAusAID, research by James Scambary, Hippolito Da Gama and JoaoBarreto September 2006), ‘Anatomy of Political Parties in Timor-Leste’ Joao M Saldanha (ANU, 2005).

Any mistakes are entirely my own work and I would appreciatereceiving corrections. Please remember that this is a ‘living’ documentwhich will constantly be updated given that new parties are still beingcreated and with parties constantly releasing information. I would alsoappreciate receiving news of policy initiatives and other developmentsto assist with the updating process.

Monday, June 04, 2007

East Timor's new president Jose Ramos Horta says the nation's police force continues to suffer from a lack of discipline, after officers allegedly shot dead two activists during rallies for a new party headed by former East Timor president Xanana Gusmao.

Saying the deaths had embarrassed the nation, Ramos Horta declared those responsible should receive "severe punishment".

The United Nations on Monday stepped up security in Viqueque, south east of Dili, amid rising tensions after the deaths of the two men, supporters of Gusmao's party, National Congress for Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT).

UN Police fired warning shots and tear gas in Viqueque market on Sunday afternoon after fighting broke out between CNRT supporters and opponents following a CNRT rally in the Fretilin-stronghold.

One man, Alfonso "Kuda Lay" Guterres, died after he was allegedly shot by an off-duty Timorese police officer.

Another CNRT supporter, 24, was shot dead and a 16-year-old youth injured shortly later, as a group of CNRT supporters, accompanied by the former president, attempted to return the dead man's body to Ossu.

"Initial reports indicate that PNTL (East Timor police) fired shots to control a crowd at a roadblock near Ossu," the acting head of the UN's mission in East Timor, Eric Tan said.

The Australian-led international stabilisation force has deployed a platoon to the region.

Ramos Horta, who was due to fly to Jakarta on Monday afternoon for his first official visit as president, said the police entrusted to safeguard the elections had failed in their duty.

"Several members of the PNTL have engaged in crime ... We see that indiscipline is still very strong within the PNTL," he said.

He warned: "There is no impunity in this country".

Reform of East Timor's security sector is considered key to the country's future, after clashes between elements of the police and defence forces sparked last year's crisis, resulting in 37 deaths.

Former president Gusmao, meanwhile, declared it a "sad day" for democracy in East Timor.

The CNRT party is likely to pose a major challenge to East Timor's ruling Fretilin party in the June 30 poll, and Gusmao will become Prime Minister if it wins.

On Monday he joined other leaders in calling for peace, warning that those responsible didn't want a peaceful election process.

"This is a very sad day for me and for East Timor's democracy," he said in a statement.

"I again call on all people of our young nation to give up violence. With violence we only hurt ourselves, our country, and those that we love."

Meanwhile, the UN's Tan said police were still searching for the off-duty police officer believed responsible for Guterres' death and the motive was unknown.

"We are treating both shootings seriously," he said.

"Neither incident suggests an attempt on Mr Gusmaos life."

Tan said East Timor's leaders had met and urged political supporters to remain calm ahead of the June 30 poll.

Fretilin condemned the violence and called for a full investigation, saying the dead man had been armed.

"There also needs to be an inquiry to explain why a campaign member of a political party was armed with a gun and to determine the person that provided him with that weapon," Fretilin secretary general Mari Alkatiri said.

"Fretilin condemns all forms of violence and proactive campaigning. Those who are guilty of perpetrating violence must be arrested and brought to trial so that justice can be served."

DILI, East Timor (AP): East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmao accused those behind the slaying of one his campaign workers of wanting to disrupt upcoming elections seen as key to restoring stability in Asia's newest nation.

Authorities said a group of off-duty police officers were suspected in Sunday's slaying, indicating that bitter divisions in the country's security forces and ruling elite that exploded into violence and political turmoil last year remain a threat.

"This is a very sad day for me and for East Timor's democracy,'' Gusmao, who will become prime minister if his party wins the June 30 polls, said in a statement Monday.

He said the killers did not want "the election process to take place in peace.''

"I again call on all people of our young nation to give up violence. With violence we only hurt ourselves, our country, and those that we love,'' he said.

Afonso Kudalai was shot three times at close range at a campaign rally for Gusmao's newly formed party on Sunday in Viqueque district, 183 kilometers (113 miles) from the capital, Dili.

Police inspector Jose Carvalho said his officers and those from the United Nations were searching for the killer or killers, whom he said were believed to be off-duty police officers.

He declined to speculate on a motive for the killing.

It was not immediately clear if the shooting was related to an attack Sunday on Gusmao's motorcade, also in Viqueque, when several vehicles were pelted with stones. Gusmao was unhurt.

East Timor, which broke from Indonesian rule in a U.N.-sponsored 1999 ballot, had been heralded as a success in nation-building until a rift in the police and armed forces escalated into gunbattles, looting, arson and gang warfare just over a year ago. The violence killed 37 people and drove 155,000 from their homes.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was elected president on May 9, raising hopes of stability, although more than 3,000 international police officers and soldiers remain stationed in the country to maintain peace and order.

Ramos-Horta took over from Gusmao, who was imprisoned during Indonesia's occupation for leading the resistance to Jakarta's rule.

Political commentators have expressed fear that efforts by Gusmao and Ramos-Horta to sideline Fretilin -- which was the traditional party of resistance to Indonesian rule and currently holds a majority of seats in the legislature -- could lead to more bloodshed.

In a statement, Fretilin "demanded that a proper independent investigation be carried out in relation to the death'' of the campaign worker, alleging that he had been armed.

On Thursday, a hand grenade killed a man and wounded three others, while supporters of rival candidates clashed with machetes and rocks elsewhere in the country, wounding a dozen people.

East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, is the youngest and poorest country in Asia, with an unemployment rate of around 50 percent. About two-thirds of children under age 5 are malnourished